Safe Routes to School scheme could be key to making dangerous Navan junction safer

St Oliver National School's inclusion in the Safe Routes to School programme could help progress proposals to make the Circle K filling station junction on Navan's Proudstown Road, safer.

Lack of funding had seen proposals for the junction of the Proudstown Road, Beaufort Estate at the Circle K which has been presented to the councillors in 2024, put on hold last year.

Cllr Francis Deane asked a recent meeting of Navan Municipal Council the up to date status on the works which would also include a new footpath at St Oliver’s Church.

He was told the availability of both funding and competing priorities meant that it was not possible to start works on the proposals in 2025.

Officials said St Oliver Plunkett’s National School was identified as a Round 3 school on An Taisce’s Safe

Routes to School (SRTS) programme.

“It is possible that the measures that will be developed in 2026 as part of the SRTS programme will overlap with the proposals that were tendered last year.

“If so, then this could assist with the funding shortfall that we had and allow elements of the works such as providing a new controlled crossing on the Proudstown Road, improving the controlled road crossings at the Proudstown Road/Aisling Place junction and other footpath improvements to the school to go ahead.

“We are currently awaiting the formal announcement of our Active Travel Improvement Grants

from the NTA for 2026,” the meeting heard.

Cllr Deane also made a call on the council to carry out a speed traffic audit on the Old Athlumney Road “where the volume of traffic and pedestrian usage has hugely increased over the past three years due to the

new significant housing development built at Farganstown.”

He was told the Old Athlumney Road was on the Traffic Calming List and will be assessed in accordance with the

assessment criteria set out in the new Traffic Calming Policy.

“Should the location meet the criteria, Meath County Council Transportation Section will conduct a speed survey as part of this process. The timeframe for which will be determined by the number and priority of other locations on the list,” he was told.

Cllr Deane also called on the council to erect a sign naming the road, which leads from the Supervalu roundabout at Johnstown to the school campus, Johnstown Wood Avenue (Ascaill Choill Bhaile Eoin).

He was told the Council will erect appropriate signage at Johnstown Wood Avenue.